L3Harris Appoints Sam Mehta CEO After Ousting Chris Kubasik

The board of L3Harris Technologies removed Chairman and CEO Chris Kubasik on August 17, 2026, following an internal investigation that found his conduct inconsistent with the company's code of conduct. While the company stated the violation did not involve financial reporting, operational performance, or customer relationships, reports from Semafor indicated the probe found Kubasik engaged in an inappropriate relationship with an employee. Kubasik denied these allegations through a spokesperson. This incident mirrors a 2012 event at Lockheed Martin where Kubasik resigned as president and COO after a similar ethics investigation.

Under a mutual separation agreement, Kubasik resigned from the board and all subsidiaries, forfeiting approximately $45 million in severance, bonuses, and equity awards, though he retains roughly $80 million in existing stock and options. The board immediately appointed Sam Mehta, previously the head of Space & Mission Systems and Communications & Spectrum Dominance, as the new president and CEO. Lewis Hay III assumed the role of independent chairman of the board.

To fill the vacancies created by Mehta's promotion, the company named Lauren Barnes as president of Space & Mission Systems and Christopher Aebli as president of Communications & Spectrum Dominance. Following the announcement, L3Harris shares fell between 2.5% and 4%. Despite the leadership shuffle, the company reaffirmed its 2026 financial forecast and its $3 billion capital buildout for rocket motor production. The transition occurs as the firm manages a delayed initial public offering for its missile solutions segment, now pushed to mid-2027.